Applied Ethics

Definition

• Applied ethics (also known as practical ethics) refers to the application of ethical principles to real-world issues.
• It aims to address the question: How should people act in specific situations?

Examples of Applied Ethics

• Business Ethics: Is it ethical for a business owner to bluff during negotiations?
• Medical Ethics: Is it morally permissible for a doctor to perform mercy killing upon the request of a terminally ill patient?

Branches of Applied Ethics

• Medical Ethics
• Business Ethics
• Engineering Ethics

Comparison with Other Ethical Theories

• Normative Ethics:
  • Develops moral theories about how people should behave (e.g., ethics of care, deontology).
  • More general than applied ethics.
• Metaethics:
  • Addresses questions about the nature of ethics itself (e.g., What is morality?).

Approaches in Applied Ethics

• Some philosophers believe ethical practice should start with a moral theory, but consensus on which theory to use is often challenging.
• Practical Approach:
  • Focuses on resolving ethical dilemmas by evaluating facts and related harms without requiring agreement on a specific moral theory.
  • Considered a key strength of applied ethics as it allows flexibility and context-based solutions.